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Reading Labels & Understanding Ingredients

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We all love snuggling up with a freshly bathed baby. Breathing in that sweet smell and feeling that soft skin is heavenly. You might be surprised to learn that many common baby products which claim to be safe, gentle, hypoallergenic, or even natural are anything but. Understanding the ingredients in what we are putting on and in our children has become ever more important to make sure that nice clean smell isn’t actually a potentially harmful toxic chemical. Keep in mind that newborns, babies, small children can not metabolize these chemicals as easily as an adult might, and really should they have to?

Some chemicals to avoid on ingredient lists:

1,4-Dioxane is a foaming agent used in bath products to create suds.

Found in: Shampoo, bubble bath, and soap.

Health concerns: Increased risk of cancer, known eye and respiratory tract irritant, and can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and kidneys.

What to look for: The tricky part is that you will not find 1, 4-Dioxane on any ingredient list. In general you can watch out for compound ingredients that end with “eth” like sodium laureth sulfate, steareth-20, and ceteareth-20, or PEGs (Polyethylene glycol).

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is primarily used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.

What to look for: The above mentioned plastics and cans that are not labeled BPA-free. Recycling codes 2, 4 & 5 are generally safe from BPA.

Benzyl Alcohol is an aromatic alcohol used as a preservative. It is made by the hydrolysis of benzyl chloride (which has been used as war gas due to its ability to cause the tearing, pain, and blindness in the eye) using sodium hydroxide (lye) or by combining phenylmagnesium bromide with formaldehyde.

Health concerns: Alone it is a known neurotoxin and a skin irritant causing itching, burning, hives, and blistering.

What to look for:benzyl alcohol

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a is a synthetic surfactant derived from coconut oil combined with petroleum products. It is an ingredient that makes products thicker, foamier, and is often used in place of SLS.

Found in: Shampoo, body wash, bubble bath, and toothpaste.

Health concerns: It is a known skin, lung, and eye irritant and is one of the most frequent causes of contact dermatitis. It is also a known human immune system toxicant. May also be contaminated with nitrosamines.

Oxybenzone is a common active chemical ingredient in sunscreen. It is easily absorbed in the skin, which is why so many people like it-no white noses!

Found in: Sunscreen.

Health concerns: Oxybenzone is a hormone disruptor and increases the risk of cancer. It also creates free-radicals and is a photoallergen, both of which mean it can cause harm when exposed to the sun. Not such a good thing for a product designed to be used in the sun.

What to look for: oxybenzone

Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl) are a group of chemicals used as preservatives to prevent microbial growth.

Found in: Shampoo, lotion, shaving gels, cleansing gels, foundation, eye shadow, anti-aging products, and toothpaste. They can also be found used as food additives and some pharmaceuticals.

Health concerns: Parabens have been linked to hormone disruption, increased risk of breast cancer, and reproductive toxicity. Methylparaben specifically, has also recently been shown to interfere with breast cancer treatment.

What to look for: Any ingredient ending with -paraben or -ester, fragrance, benzoic acid, or potassium salt. Methylparaben may also be an impurity found in grapefruit seed extract. Not all parabens are equal, so use your best judgment when finding that on an ingredient list.

Health concerns: SLSes alter the skin’s structure allowing other chemicals to penetrate the skin’s barriers increasing the amount of those chemicals that reach the bloodstream. SLSes often contain 1,4-Dioxane and are frequent causes of contact dermatitis.

Found in: Dishwashing liquid, liquid hand soaps, hand sanitizers, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toys, and diaper changing pads to name just a few. Suspect products are any that claim to be antibacterial. Manufacturers claim that triclosan helps prevent infectious diseases (particularly in hand soaps), but a study from the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health showed it was no more effective than plain soap and water. But triclosan does negatively impact long-term health.

Health concerns: When mixed with chlorine (like in tap water) it will create dioxins which are known carcinogens. It is also an endocrine (hormone) disruptor, which can lead to serious reproductive issues and various reproductive cancers. There is further evidence that it may affect thyroid function. It is also linked to bacterial and antibiotic resistance.

What to look for:Triclosan, Microban, or Biofresh.

If you want to know more about any other specific ingredients or products, use the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database as a starting point. Just remember that it is only a starting point!

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A mama of three trying to live a green life, pursue greater health and well-being for my family and the planet, and teach my children well while providing tips, insight, and activism for those wanting to go green. Learn how to change the world through living, learning, and parenting.Read more about me...